在世界文化史裡 Dark Age 指的是西羅馬帝國在西元476年被蠻族入侵而殞落,到14世紀文藝復興中間文明衰退的1000年。1920年到1950年間,鋼筆文明正如古羅馬帝國般的光耀璀璨。但是好景不常,原子筆的發明,正如當年的蠻族入侵,1957年Eversharp的破產倒閉敲響了最後的喪鐘,如當年西羅馬帝國般,曾經美麗宏偉的多利克斯柱(Dorics)傾倒在塑膠射出原子筆的廉價洪流之下。
最近在整理資料的時候,不預期的看到了1998年1月的Pen Fancier’s Magazine最後一頁的 Enrollment Information 記錄了這件事,在那個時代,大量的鋼筆被拔去筆尖,溶成黃金。而零件則被隨意的丟棄。許多稀有珍貴的筆因此永久消失。直到 Pen Fancier Club 的出現,大家才重新了解所謂的美國四大品牌。這個嗜好也逐漸的再一次走回世界的舞台。想當年的收藏前輩也是用盡的全力,才守護住了這個嗜好。只是逝去的永遠不會再出現。
早在前一天,我就聽說 Pen-Box 準備了不少筆要來打擊我們,後來聽說進一步的提升到後背包,看來這一次是毫不留情了。我輾轉打聽到只有來自宇宙的礦物-黃金筆能夠剋制他(手工筆沒有任何的可能性,畢竟他的道行太深)。我翻箱倒櫃將家裡所有的實金筆找出來,打算像對付吸血鬼一樣給他致命的一擊,讓他化成泡沫。見面我就立刻先攻拿出實金筆來壓制他的氣焰。我可以看到他的眼球裡反射著閃耀的金光,May Gold be with you – 我心裡想的這一定是真愛。
Mint – brand new condition. No defect, initials or engravings. May have price stickers. Never filled with ink. Original packaging helps and is a must for limited edition pens.
Near Mint – Metal or overlay pens may have professional engravings if they are attractive and not too bold—not acceptable on plastic. May have been filled with ink. No perceptible wear. Limited edition pens must not have personal engravings.
Excellent – Little sign of wear, except some smoothing of edges, engravings and chasing patterns. Color not as bright as “Mint” and may have very slight discoloration. Collectors demand that newer limited editions be in better condition than older pens.
Good – Minor wear such as slight “brassing” and small surface scratches. Colors may be slightly darkened or oxidized. All parts must be original or have equal quality replacements. Plastic pens may have professional engravings if they are attractive and not too bold.
Fair – Moderate brassing, faded color, surface wear and diminishing imprints. Attractive when polished and stored in a display case. Does not need to be functional.
Poor – Serious discoloration, brassing, cracks, scratches, dents or missing parts. If a pen has any of these, it resides in this category. Good for use as “parts” only.